Hudikot emerging as a tourist attraction

Kathmandu - Basudev Poudel Hudikot at Bharat Pokhari in Pokhara Metropolitan City-33 in Kaski district has been lately one of the sought-after tourist destinations in Kaski. The picturesque landscape of Hudikot that is in the southern area in Pokhara has been alluring tourists has a good trail for hiking. This place offers a clear view of mountains such as Machhapuchchhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri among others besides Seti River, Lekhnath Municipality of 'Garden of Seven Lakes' and the like.

Situated at 1,140 metres above the sea level, the place has added importance of the Bharatpokhari Municipality, the locals said. Hikers' Club vice-president Krishna Ranabhat shared that the place has emerged as a good gate-way for those who want to be in the lap of nature. Domestic tourists from Hudikot and its surrounding places have been thronging this place in an impressive numbers from where 14 districts could be viewed with naked eyes.

Unfazed by the mist and fog during the winter and monsoon, informed Guruprasad Poudel, a local. Furthermore, the Kot Bhairav Temple built during the time of Malla reign has remained one of the religious tourist centres which attracts pilgrims from Syangja, Tanahu, Nirmal Pokhari and then Bharatpokhari Municipality.

Likewise, Deurali Devi Temple is another religious shrine in Hudikot. It is believed that if there was no rainfall for a long time, the rainfall could be made happen in a day or two by performing special puja and chanting 'Har Har Mahadev', a slogan related to Lord Shiva. The place is an ideal for one-day hike, according to Ranabhat.

Hudikot is also an ideal location for watching the beautiful views of sunrise and sunset as it is located on high hill. The visitors can get a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range and of mountains like Annapurna, Lamjung etc. Various places in districts Kaski, Tanahu, Lamjung, Manang, Gorakha, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, Syangja can be viewed from Hudikot. Visitors can also catch local buses from Pokhara to travel to Hudikot.